Condensed Matter Physics and Solid State Chemistry

The Condensed Matter Physics and Solid state Chemistry project of the NIFS focuses on research on synthesizing and characterizing technologically important novel materials for dye-sensitized solar cells, rechargeable batteries, electrochromic display devices. Mixed cation effect in electrolytes for dye solar cells and tri-layer TiO2 photoanodes for efficiency enhancement are some of the recent original research findings of the group. A low cost, polymer nanofibre water filter is another important finding by this group. Developing nanofibres by electrospinning, synthesizing colloidal quantum dots as sensitizers for high-efficiency solar cells and application of silver nanofibres for efficiency enhancement are some of the ongoing projects.

Achievements of the Project :

Recent Achievements of the Project:

An innovative TiO2 nanoparticle/nanofibre/nanoparticle, three layer composite photoanode for efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Mixed Cation Effect for enhancing the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells.
Quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells with relatively high efficiencies in the range of 5.00 to 7.0% have been fabricated and characterized.
Significant efficiency enhancement has been achieved in TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells by the use of surface plasmon resonance of gold nano particles.
Impressive efficiency enhancements exceeding 3% in SnO2 based dye solar cells due to double or multiple chelating mechanism have been achieved.

Research Grants received in 2017

Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake received a Research Grant from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research in 2017 for a muti-university/institute collaborative national “EduTraining” project towards R&D and training of personnel competent in thin film solar cell prototype manufacturing maintaining. NIFS is the principal coordinator. Rs. 240 mn for 2017-2020 for 4 universities (Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Jaffna and Ruhuna) and NIFS for 4 years.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake received a grant of Rs. 3.1 mn from the NSF under Sri Lanka-Pakistan Collaborative Research Grant scheme of 2017 for a period of 3 years.

Ongoing Grants:

Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake—Swedish Research Council (SRC) Grant 2015-2017 for collaborative research between NIFS, Chalmers University (Sweden), Department of Physics (Peradeniya, and Rajarata University (Mihinthale) on Dye sensitized solar cells. SEK 300,000 (total for 3 years for 3 Sri Lankan partners)

Awards & Recognitions 2017:

Prof.M.A.K.L. Dissanayake received President’s Awards for 2015 Scientific Publications: Awarded in November 2017 for TWO SCI publications.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake received NRC Merit Award for Scientific publications in 2014 (one publication) Awarded on 20th January 2017. Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake received the NIFS Outstanding Scientist 2016- 2nd place at 2017 Annual Research Review 10th March 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was the Editor-in-chief, Ceylon Journal of Science Peradeniya University quarterly journal From January 2016-December 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 2016/2017. Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was Invited to a presentation at 44th NIFS School Science Programme: Delivered a Lecture-Demonstration on “The Wonders of Sunshine” to 150 School Students 15th December 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake presented on “The use of scientific Research Methodology in Physics Research” for School Teachers (NIFS Workshop) 14th June 2017
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a resource person at PGIS Workshop on Scientific Writing: Presentation on Experimental Methods for postgraduate research students 4th June 2017
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a resource person at PGIS Workshop on Scientific Writing: Presentation on Experimental Methods for postgraduate research students 2nd July 2017
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake finalized preliminary arrangements for the Organization of the Solar Asia -2018 International Research Conference (From April 2017 onward) held from 4th to 6th January 2018 at NIFS. Prof. Dissanayake was the chairman of the Organizing Committee From April 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an oral Examiner for PhD theses, University of Kula Lumpur, Malaysia 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an oral Examiner for PhD theses, University of Brunei, Brunei 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for Optik International Journal for Light and Electron Optics 2017.

Other Recognitions in 2017

Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a member of the NSF Committee on Science and Technology Policy Research 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a coordinator and member, Project Management Committee of the Solar “EduTraining” Multi-university, National R&D project for manufacturing of thin film solar cells: Supported by the Ministry of S,T & R 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for Basic Science Research Grant Proposals of the NSF 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an evaluator/Reviewer for evaluation of joint research projects by SL-NSF and Pakistan NSF August 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an evaluator for NRC Research Grants 2016-2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an examiner for the PhD oral defense examination of Ms. M.M. Jamila, PhD in Science Education (PGIS) 28th June 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was an oral examiner for the M.Sc. Oral Presentation by Mr. PKK Kumarasinghe, M.Sc. in Physics of Materials (PGIS) 14th July 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a reviewer for papers to be presented/published at the PGIS Research Congress, 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake was a member of the NASTEC Study Group on Basic Science Research Policy From 21st April 2017.
Prof. M.A.K.L. Dissanayake Visited China as a member of the Ministerial Delegation to initiate collaborative research on solar cells and facilitate R&D for manufacturing thin film solar cells in Sri Lanka and training a workforce competent in solar cell technology 21st to 29th July 2017.

Research Collaboration :

Research collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden (Prof. B.-E. Mellander)
On dye sensitized solar cells. (From 2011-todate);
Supported by several research publications.

Research collaboration with Centre for Ionics, University of Malaya, Malaysia (Prof. A.K. Arof) On dye sensitized solar cells. (From 2013-2018);
Supported by MoU and research publications.
And short term research visits by our RA Ms. J.K.M.W. Kumari in 2016 and MoU, 2013-2018
Research collaboration with Dr. V.A. Seneviratne, Department of Physics, University of Peradeniya on dye sensitized solar cells and polymer electrolytes (From 2011-todate) ;Supported by joint research publications.
Research collaboration with Dr. T.M.W.J. Bandara, Department of Physics, Rajarata University on dye sensitized solar cells (From 2011-todate); Supported by joint research publications
Research Collaboration with Dr. Athula Wijayasinghe’s Research group at NIFS (Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials) (on-going); Evidence, joint research publication (abstract attached + Joint PhD supervision of T.H.N.G. Amaraweera
Research Collaboration with University of Jaffna